Knowledge representation in MICKEY: an expert system for designing microprocessor-based systems

This paper presents the knowledge representation schemes adopted in MICKEY, a knowledge based system for designing microprocessor based systems. MICKEY is essentially a hybrid expert system, using rules and procedures for achieving the different design tasks. We briefly describe the hierarchy of tasks in this problem domain, and emphasize on the refinement paradigm, constraint propagation, conflict resolution and task management strategies adopted in MICKEY. Next, we dwell upon the different knowledge sources and their functions, with respect to the particular design domain. Finally, we present an industrial design, achieved by MICKEY, to demonstrate its applicability